In addition, Selig is looking to invoke an extreme privilege of the commissioner's office, the right to take action against a player to preserve the integrity of the game, should Rodriguez attempt to fight his looming suspension, the Daily News reported later Monday.

This power would be used to effectively keep Rodriguez from ever returning to the field, the Daily News noted. Rodriguez would be suspended immediately for interference in MLB's investigation into the now-closed South Florida anti-aging clinic Biogenesis, then suspended later for violating baseball's drug program, according to the report.

The Associated Press notes that such a move would ensure that any penalties against Rodriguez would go into effect before the case could go to an arbitrator.

Selig is so determined to keep Rodriguez from playing on a major league field again that he is risking a reopening of the collective bargaining agreement by the players association or possibly a federal court case, the Daily News notes.

MLB is "armed with voluminous evidence" that A-Rod bought PEDs from Biogenesis, the newspaper reports. Baseball officials were reportedly trying to get him to reach a settlement that would effectively end his major league career while allowing him to collect much of the $100 million that is remaining on his contract.

Rodriguez's attorney disputes that a deal has even been offered, however.

A-Rod atty says no deal offered from MLB. Another source also says no discussions. Suspensions still expected later this week.

Here's MLB's proposal, according to the Daily News: A-Rod agrees not to fight a suspension without pay that will keep him off the field the rest of this season and all of the 2014 season. In return, he'll have a chance to collect the $60 million the New York Yankees owe him for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons.

But it is now unclear if MLB officials would agree to a reduced penalty for Rodriguez, the Daily News reports.

Don't count on the embattled star cutting a deal. He continues to insist he has done nothing wrong.

“If there is a suspension, he will fight it,” a source told the newspaper.

"We're still involved in the process of preparing for an eventual appeal in this matter," Rodriguez lawyer David Cornwell said Monday on ESPN Radio in New York. "My understanding is that the next step that is going to be taken is that the players association and baseball will meet to discuss the investigation and baseball's focus on particular players. So we'll see how that process plays out. But at this point my understanding or my expectation is that we're going to be working through the process towards an appeal."

If that is the case, Selig is expected to pursue a lifetime ban.

Rodriguez has never been disciplined for a drug offense, and a first offender under baseball's Joint Drug Agreement is entitled to an automatic stay if the players association files a grievance—meaning the penalty is put on hold until after an arbitrator rules.

While use of banned performance-enhancing substances falls under the drug agreement, MLB may argue other alleged violations are punishable under the labor contract, a person familiar with management's deliberations told the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.

Taking that action would prevent Rodriguez from returning to the field, even if he recovers from a quadriceps injury cited by the team as the reason for keeping him on the disabled list.

And merely threatening to use that provision might give MLB leverage to force a deal.

The Yankees expect Rodriguez to be accused of recruiting other athletes for the clinic, of attempting to obstruct MLB's investigation, and of not being truthful with MLB in the past when he discussed his relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, who pleaded guilty two years ago to a federal charge of bringing unapproved drugs into the United States from Canada.

Four years ago, Rodriguez admitted using PEDs while with the Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003. He has repeatedly denied using them since.

The AP's sources say Rodriguez could be punished under Article XII, Section B of the Basic Agreement, which states: "Players may be disciplined for just cause for conduct that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests of baseball including, but not limited to, engaging in conduct in violation of federal, state or local law."

If suspended under that section, Rodriguez would serve the penalty while a grievance is litigated before arbitrator Fredric Horowitz—unless the union asks for a stay and the arbitrator grants one, which would be unusual under the grievance procedure.

According to the Daily News' sources, Selig could eliminate Horowitz from the grievance procedure and hear any appeals himself under Article XI, Section A(1)(b) of the Basic Agreement. Selig would become the arbiter if action is taken "with respect to a Player or Players" by Selig "involving the preservation of the integrity of, or the maintenance of public confidence in, the game of baseball."

But a letter from Selig that is Attachment 1 states: "I understand that the players' association has expressed concern that the commissioner might take some action pursuant to Article XI (A) (1) (b) of the Basic Agreement which could negate rights of players under the new Basic Agreement. While I have difficulty seeing that this is a real problem, I am quite willing to assure the association that the commissioner will take no such action."

Rodriguez hasn't played a major league game yet in 2013 following offseason hip surgery.

He is one of several players who have been linked in media reports to the clinic, including 2012 All-Star game MVP Melky Cabrera, 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon and 2011 ALCS MVP Nelson Cruz.